Residents and Kernan School Reading Program
Feb. 18th, 2010
In September, the Director of Community Life at the Masonic Care Community Jay Snow and 4th grade teacher Geno Brown from Kernan School in Utica set up a special intergenerational program. Every month since then, residents from the Health Pavilion and Wiley Hall travel to the school and spend an hour reading with the 4th graders. The program is mutually beneficial. Our residents, who come from a variety of backgrounds, share their time and talent with the children, and the children get the benefit of their undivided attention and life experiences. This program has done much more than help the children with their reading. It has forged intergenerational bonds. The children even traveled to the Masonic Care Community Campus during the Holiday season and the group exchanged holiday cards.
" Intergenerational programs are a win win", says Snow. "The residents look forward to their monthly visits, and the kids can't wait for the seniors to come". This program will be featured in the March 18th Masonic Care Community Report during the Live at 5 Newshour and Newschannel 2 at 6 on WKTV Utica.
